4' x 4' x 2' build

[ReefingBuddha]

Things are looking really good. Just one question/

Would you have gone to a bigger cube now if you had the chance? Just asking because I'm building a 5x5x30 and would like some input. Thanks

 

[jay24k]

I think a 5 foot cube would be perfect. Two lumenarcs would light that up insane. I did a single 3' cube and one lumenarc hits every spot.

 

[aspinn]

would love ot see soem more pics bud when u get a chance =) its looking good!

 

[ReefingBuddha]

jay24k
Thanks man, I'm looking forward to it... The plan for lighting right now is 4 60" solaris h4 fixture right now but I'm still running tests on my current SPS tank with a smaller model. So far I'm actually fairly impressed with how the light is performing.

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11745842#post11745842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
Things are looking really good. Just one question/

Would you have gone to a bigger cube now if you had the chance? Just asking because I'm building a 5x5x30 and would like some input. Thanks

Thanks.

For me 4 foot is enough. It gives me enough space to aquascape as I want, without completely destroying my budget, and imposing too greatly on my housing space.

But 5 foot would be unbelievable! That would be like having a slice of ocean in your house. If you can afford the space and money, go for it. I think 4 lumenarcs would be amazing on a 5 foot cube.

Thanks aspinn. More pictures will follow when more livestock is added. Maybe in 4 weeks or so. Just letting all the biological filtration fully settle in. So far all parameters are looking great. It really has been a dream start. No algae blooms to note and all corals are thriving.

My next project will be to add a second skimmer to complement the tunze 9010. I think I will go this route rather than buying and enormous skimmer to replace the 9010. I have heard that Anthony Calfo recommends this multi-skimmer method, as he believes 2 different skimmers skim differently, and will complement each other. If I add another skimmer with about 1500ltr capacity, that will bring my total skimming capacity to over 2000ltrs, which should be more than enough.

 

[jay24k]

Not sure why I said 2. You would need 4 but I'd definetly get the extra foot if you could. I'd be wary of the solaris lighting. Still alot of issues with it. Someone did a calculation and it would take about 9 years to pay for itself. By then, something out will be better and there is always the chance something will fail on it.

 

[martinphillip03]

Hey mate, how about an update

Marty

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11866341#post11866341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by martinphillip03
Hey mate, how about an update

Marty

Not much to update I'm afraid. Lost the foxface rabbit fish Not enough algae in the tank to keep him fed it would appear. He wouldnt eat any veggies I supplied and slowly got skinnier and skinnier. One morning I found him stuck up against the tunze 6201! Got him off by turning the pump off, but he was wonky for a day or so then died.

Other than that all is fine. Corals are continuing to do well. Acro's are growing and colouring up. Refugium dsb is doing well. I'm still waiting a month or so more before I start stocking with more stuff. Will update with more pictures then.

 

[mxett]

Thought I should update this thread since its been a while.

I've started VSV dosing since my nitrates hit 50 and I started losing coral. It's worked a treat. Corals are recovering and nitrates and phosphates are all under control.

 

[mxett]

I also got a new Super Reef Octopus 5000 Internal skimmer.

This uses the new bubble blaster 5000 pump which pulls a staggering 2400 lph of air using only 50w of power!

Check out this RC thread for others feedback.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1659495

Here's the packaged unit

Here it is compared to my nw200 classic

Check out the size of the air muffler and air intake hose in comparison!
I also love the venturi design. Its hard to explain but it effectively has an air outlet at the pump water intake that covers the full circumference of the fitting, not just a single hose outlet.

Here it is getting a water and vinegar bath. I was amazed by the fact that it actually skimmed crap out of the bath water!!

Here it is in my sump. It is still well and truely breaking in of course but already forming a foam head. The water level is at the bottom of the cone section.
It is also amazingly quiet! I love it already. Can't wait for it to fully break in.

 

[mxett]

I also purchased two Chinese LED fixtures. See MASA website for further details as there are a few of us now with them.

Initial impressions:
- seem well built. Infact they are quite heavy.
- fans are not really that loud, no louder than the little fan that was blowing the hot air from my MH from over the top of the tank.
- They are REALLY bright! Infact I think they would be easily as bright as a 250w MH. They even come close to my 400w MH, given it is raised about 40cm's above the water (for extra coverage) and the LED's are only 4cm's from the water.
- The heat they put out is minimal.
- One is not enough to cover a 4 foot tank. Mine are just supplementation to my 2 solar tubes so they are perfect.
- The corals certainly colour more than under both sunlight or 14k mh.

So far I have used a previous idea of using a clothes horse to suspend them above the water. I am undecided as to whether I'll hang them from the cables provided or built some sort of canopy/rack for them.


Here are some pics.
These are LED only on a 4 foot cube without solar tube light (9pm).

 

[mxett]

I've been busy today building a canopy/hood to suspend these new LED's over my tank using the cables provided. I'm happy I now have the appropriate height, angle and position to give maximum coverage whilst allowing the solar tubes to still do their thing.

I am extremely happy with the results! I also note that the tank temperature hasn't gone over 25.5 degrees all day, with no chiller.

Here's some pics of how I did it. I also remember someone saying one of their cables broke and their LED ended up swimming with the fishies. I've had a close look at these cables and I'm happy they are secure.

 

[mxett]

Given I'm very happy with the lighting levels now I thought I'd add some new pics showing the LED's and sunlight together using a camera better than my iphone (not much though).

From the front

From the right side

From the left side

 

[mxett]

 

[d-man]

What are the kelvin ratings of those led's. Seems a little on the yellow side. I like the coral growth and the ability to really spread as time goes on.

 

[mxett]

My crappy camera (or my lack of skill with it), plus the natural sunlight makes it look a little yellow. It's actually not like that in person.

The LED's are about 14k. I love the 'yellowish' tinge from the sunlight. Makes the tank look like an actual shallowish reef while the LED's bring out the colours.

 

[mxett]

Here's a quick video (from my iphone) showing some SPS bathing in the natural sunlight. Talk about nice shimmer effect!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50qA1yFqEVI

 

[nguyentxd]

I like the solar look

 

[mxett]

Thanks. Me too!

 

[kenhuang6269]

Looking good Keep up the good work